Optimize Grass Based Operations at Kentucky Grazing Event

By Blake Jackson

The University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, along with the Cooperative Extension Service, is inviting livestock producers and agribusiness professionals to attend the Kentucky Grazing Conference.

The conference will be held at two locations this fall: Tuesday, Oct. 28, in Winchester and Thursday, Oct. 30, in Leitchfield.

An additional workshop will take place Wednesday, Oct. 29, in Elizabethtown, offering producers a small-group session with renowned grazing consultant Jim Gerrish of American Grazing Lands Services.

“We’re excited to welcome University of Kentucky Plant and Soil Sciences alum Jim Gerrish back to the Commonwealth,” said Chris Teutsch, extension forage specialist and associate professor.

“Jim is a well-known expert on regenerative grazing, owning and operating his own ranch, and has innovative ideas on how to improve cow-calf profitability.”

The conference theme, “Grazing for Profit: Optimizing Returns in Grass-Based Operations,” will cover essential topics for livestock operations. Presentations will address managing expenses, breeding functional livestock, nutrient cycling in grasslands, forage management under changing weather, and bale grazing techniques.

In addition to Gerrish, speakers include Cody Rakes of Loretto Motherhouse Farm and UK faculty Greg Halich, Ricardo Riberio, and Teutsch.

Both events will run from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with lunch included. Registration costs $45 for general participants and $25 for students. The Winchester conference will be held at the Clark County Extension Office, 1400 Fortune Drive, and the Leitchfield event at the Grayson County Extension Office, 64 Quarry Road.

The Profitability Workshop in Elizabethtown will allow in-depth discussions on factors affecting net returns in ruminant livestock operations. Morning sessions will cover ranching as a land management business, feed costs, animal performance, and cow-calf production balance.

Afternoon sessions will focus on stock water development, pasture reseeding, and financial analysis. Registration is $100 and limited to 35 participants.

Producers can register for the Kentucky Grazing Conference, Profitability Workshop, and other fall forage and livestock events at https://forages.mgcafe.uky.edu/events. For more information, contact Caroline Roper at caroline.roper@uky.edu or 270-704-6618.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-jacqueline-nix